Parasaissetia nigra

Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner, 1861) is one of the most widely distributed species of Coccidae. It is extremely polyphagous, currently having been recorded on host plants in 296 genera belonging to 100 families, particularly those belonging to the Rutaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Moraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Myrtaceae, Asteraceae, Apocynaceae and Anacardiaceae (García Morales et al. 2016). Parasaissetia nigra is believed to have originated from Africa, although it was first described from specimens collected on Coffea sp. in Sri Lanka (Mrabti et al. 2025). Currently, P. nigra is considered to be an almost cosmopolitan species, having been recorded from 153 countries across six continents. However, this species has not been recorded to date in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan or Turkmenistan in Central Asia (García Morales et al. 2016, EPPO 2025). Entomological surveys were conducted in ornamental plant nurseries and urban green areas in the Fergana Valley, located in the eastern part of Uzbekistan in 2019 and 2025. A previously unknown soft scale species was located feeding on the leaves and young shoots of Ficus elastica Roxb. and F. benjamina L. (Moraceae) (Fig. 1). Specimens were collected from the following two locations: Fergana Region, Fergana City (40.3864°N, 71.7864°E), on 3 May 2025, on F. benjamina, where the scale insect was detected on two out of six plants examined, and from Andijan Region, Andijan City (40°47’17.4”N 72°22’21.6”E), 11 April 2019, on F. elastica, where three out of 12 plants examined were infested. The infestations were moderate, mainly limited to the leaves and young shoots (Fig. 1). Small amounts of honeydew and sooty mold were noted, but no physiological damage or significant economic harm was detected. Adult female specimens were prepared on microscope slides (Fig. 1D) according to EPPO protocols (EPPO 2002, 2005) with minor modifications. Morphological identification was made based on adult females using dichotomous keys in Ben-Dov (1978), Germain (2003) and Abdul-Rassoul & Al-Mallo (2016). The main diagnostic features of the slide-mounted adult female include: body elongate oval to pear-shaped, with anterior part slightly narrowed; marginal setae slightly fimbriate. Dorsum at maturity convex and sclerotized in a polygonal reticulation pattern; dorsal submarginal tubercles and pocket-like sclerotizations present; dorsal setae cylindrical, blunttipped and often slightly capitate; anal plates lacking subdiscal and discal setae. Venter with a complete submarginal band of slender tubular ducts of one type; legs each with free tibio-tarsal articulation and lacking a tibio-tarsal sclerosis (Kondo & Watson 2022). This is the first record of P. nigra in Uzbekistan. It was found only on ornamental Ficus benjamina and F. elastica in urban green areas and nurseries. The presence of P. nigra in Uzbekistan is not surprising given its worldwide distribution and presence in neighboring countries. Its broad host range and parthenogenetic mode of reproduction probably facilitate its establishment in new areas. In Uzbekistan, where ornamental fig species are widely cultivated in urban landscapes and the climate is favorable, if it were to spread beyond its current limited distribution this scale insect might pose a potential threat to ornamental horticulture and possibly to some agricultural crops like citrus. Given the expansion potential and polyphagous nature of P. nigra, systematic monitoring of ornamental nurseries and agricultural areas is recommended. Early detection and monitoring will be crucial for assessing the long-term economic impact of this pest in Uzbekistan.

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